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Elevation: 7,060 ft 2,152 m
GPS: 39.74438, -105.40288
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Shared By: Furthermore on Jan 15, 2018 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

With direct southern exposure, this makes for an excellent winter crag with some quality routes and already has become very popular. This crag offers a few 10s, 11s, and a fine selection of 12s. The lack of highway noise also makes this crag a worthwhile visit. Most of the routes were established between 2015-2017 and still have plenty of loose rock and lichen. A helmet is suggested even for belaying.

L->R:

A. Cruisin' Caskets, 8, 1p, 75', bolts.
B. Six Feet Under, 9+, 1p, 80', bolts.
C. Tomb Raider, 12-, 1p, 50', bolts.
D.The Reaper, 10+, 1p, 75', bolts.
E. Reincarnation, 10, 1p, 75', bolts.
F. Afterlife, 10-, 1p, 75', bolts.
G. Ugoogoly, 10, 1p, 85', bolts.
H. Till Death Do Us Part, 6, 1p, 70', gear.
I1, The Walking Dead, 12, 1p, 40', bolts.
I2. Back From the Dead, 12, 1p, 40', bolts.
J. Low Priest, 9, 1p, 50', bolts.
above J. High Priest, 12, 1p, 75', gear & bolts.
K.City of the Dead, 12-, 1p, 85', bolts.
L. Ernest Stemmingway, 11-, 1p, 80', bolts.
M. Grave Digger, 12, 1p, 65', bolts.
N1. Dia de Los Muertos , 12-, 1p, 60', bolts.
N2. Exhumation, V2+ PG-13, 12'.
N3. Hellbender, 12, 1p, 65', bolts.
O. Spinal Tap, 11+, 1p, 65', bolts.
P. Bone Daddy, 9, 1p, 60', bolts.
Q. The Undertaker, 10-, 2p, 130', bolts.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Catslab parking area, hike east (downriver) on the Peaks to Plains Trail. Follow the trail for about 0.5 mile as the trail makes a large U turn and starts heading back west. Keep your eyes open for a trail on the right side of the bike path leading up to the base of the crag. Expect a 10-15 minute approach.

New as of 6/25/21: per Daniel Dunn, Stewardship Manager, BCC: in 2021 the BCC, Clear Creek County trail crew, and volunteers built a new approach trail to the cliff. Continue past the old, closed trail for about 30 seconds, and start up where the crag sign is located. This new approach only adds a minute or two to the overall time and is much more sustainable.

Per Zachariah Dzielinski: after the U turn, the original steep trails directly up the side of the mountain have been closed off, take the relatively new and less-steep trail that is further past and on the right side. Potentially marked by a cairn (if it's still up), this trail heads up along the rock face directly to the Dia de los Muertos and Spinal Tap areas. 

22 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Graveyard Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Graveyard

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 151
Cruisin' Caskets
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 305
Afterlife
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 229
Six Feet Under
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 187
Bone Daddy
Sport
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 364
Ugoogoly
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 319
Reincarnation
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 206
The Reaper
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 400
Ernest Stemmingway
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 267
Spinal Tap
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 150
City of the Dead
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 338
Dia de Los Muertos
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 246
Hellbender
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a V4-5 6B+ M12- A2-
 135
Tomb Raider
Sport, Aid, Boulder, Mixed
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 114
Grave Digger
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 124
The Walking Dead
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Cruisin' Caskets
 151
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Afterlife
 305
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Six Feet Under
 229
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Bone Daddy
 187
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Ugoogoly
 364
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Reincarnation
 319
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
The Reaper
 206
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Ernest Stemmingway
 400
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Spinal Tap
 267
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
City of the Dead
 150
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Dia de Los Muertos
 338
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Hellbender
 246
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
Tomb Raider
 135
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a V4-5 6B+ M12- A2- Sport, Aid, Boulder, Mixed
Grave Digger
 114
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
The Walking Dead
 124
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Graveyard »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Routes Mostly Face: South
Sunny Roughly 9am to 2pm during high season
6am
8pm
Details: Sun crested below the ridge, relative to the belay ledge by 2:00 pm on Dec 8 (13 days from the winter solstice).

Weather Averages

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Prime Climbing Season
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